Spool valve with internal passage

ABSTRACT

A spool type valve especially adapted for controlling flow of an adhesive has two spaced apart enlargements in an axial opening with an entry connection to the first enlargement and an exit connection to the second enlargement. The slidable spool has an axial opening which has closed ends and a length greater than the distance between the enlargements. The closed axial opening has two sets of radial openings which are spaced apart the same distance as the enlargements. A bearing portion on the spool is movable into the second enlargement.

United States Patent Ullman et a].

[4 1 Oct. 10,1972

[ SPOOL VALVE WITH INTERNAL PASSAGE [72] Inventors: John E. Ullman, l-Iuntingdon Valley; Ernest J. Rollings, Jr., Jenkintown, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation [22] Filed: May 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 37,605

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 697,866, Jan. 15, 1968,

Pat. No. 3,539,420.

[52] US. Cl ..137/625.38, 251/325 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6k 23/00, Fl6k 3/26 [58] Field of Search ..137/625.38, 625.48, 625.68; 251/325 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,655,904 10/1953 Strayer et al ..137/625.68 X

751,572 2/1904 Tanner l 37/625.68 1,761,734 6/1930 Maximilian ..25 l/325 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6,093 1895 Sweden ..25 l/325 812,178 1951 Germany ..25l/325 Primary Examiner-Arnold Rosenthal Attorney-Martin J. Carroll [57] ABSTRACT 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTE'Dnm 10 I972 SHEET 1 OF 5 ERA/E87 J. ROLL/N65, Jr. and JOHN E. ULLMA By m y. M

Attorney IIVVEIVTORS A II omey SHEET 3 OF 5 PATENIEDnm 10 m2 ERNEST J. ROLL/N65, Jr. and JOHN E, ULLMA/V a ///rl-I7;,.%

' PAIENTEDw 101912 3.696.838

SHEET n []F 5 INVENTOHS ERNEST J. ROLL/N65, Jr. and JOHN E. QLLMA/V Attorney PATENTEDnm 10 1912 SHEET 5 OF 5 Fla-L 5 SPOOL VALVE WITH INTERNAL PASSAGE This application, which is a division of our copending application, Ser. No. 697,866, filed .Ian. 15, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,539,420 dated Nov. 10, I970 relates to a spool type valve particularly adapted for controlling the flow of adhesive to apparatus for applying epoxy adhesives to a workpiece. The adhesive is difficult to handle since it does not flow readily and yet tends to drip after flow is shut off. Valves of which we have knowledge did not apply the adhesive uniformly nor rapidly and resulted in dripping of the adhesive after flow was shut off.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a valve'that will apply uniform amounts of adhesive to JOIl'ltS.

Another object is to provide such a valve which applies the adhesive rapidly and yet prevents dripping of the adhesive after flow is shut off.

Still another object is to provide such valves that can be used in tandem and operated by the same means.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a machine utilizing our valve and showing the parts prior to operation;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the machine of FIG. 1 looking from the right; i

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 with the parts shown in operative position in solid lines and upper parts also shown in inoperative position in broken lines;

FIG. 4 is a plan view with the valve of our invention shown in section;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on the line Vl-Vl of FIG. 5 and showing the valve of our invention;

FIG. 7 is a view taken on the line VIIVII of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the workpiece with the adhesive tips in position to supply adhesive to the four vertical joints of each of two intersections.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a workholder for the workpiece W which consists of interlocking flange sheets S such as shown in the above mentioned Box patents. Two supporting posts 4 slidably support a beam 6. A plurality of aligned valves 8 are mounted on each side of beam 6. Each valve 8 includes a body 10 having an axial bore 12 in which are secured hollow sleeves l4 and 16 with a space 18 between their ends. The internal diameter of sleeve 14 is smaller than the internal diameter of sleeve 16 with the portions of the inner diameters forming the bearing surface being cylindrical. Sleeve 16 has a peripheral outer groove 20 and a peripheral inner groove 22 connected by openings 24. An inlet 26 through valve body 10 is in alignment with the groove 20. Adhesive epoxy is fed to inlet 26 through a conduit 27 under high pressure, such as 500 lbs. per sq. inch. A spool 28 is slidably received in sleeve 14 and 16 and has spaced bearing portions 30, 32, 34 and 36. The valve spools 28 are actuated by fluid motors 29R and 29L one at each of each row of valves. Bearing portion 30 slides within sleeve 14 and bearing portions 32, 34 and 36 within sleeve 16. An axial opening 38 closed at both ends is provided in spool 28 intermediate its ends and has generally radial openings 40 extending into the outer surface of spool 28 between portions 32 and 34 and similar openings 42 between portions 34 and 36. Inner and outer packing rings 44 and 46 are provided as needed. Valve body 10 has an opening 48 at one side which communicates with space 18, four openings 50 extending horizontally from opening 48, and a vertical opening 52 extending downwardly from the end of each opening 50 and terminating in an elongated slot 54 at its lower end.

Attached to the bottom of valve body 10 are two two-part ball retainers 56 each having four spherical openings 58 therein for receiving hollow balls 60. Each ball 60 is connected to a tip 62 through fitting 64 and tube 66. A cam follower 68 is secured to each tube 66 intermediate its ends and a grooved fitting 70 is secured to each tube 66 below follower 68. Each tip 62 has two diverging generally horizontal discharge openings 72 in its end. It will be seen that each valve 8 controls two groups of four tips 62. Openings (not shown) through valve body 10 slidably receive cam rods 76 each having a cam 78 at its lower end. Each cam 78 contacts the four cam followers 68 of each group with a spring 80 passing around the four grooved fittings 70 of each group to hold the followers in contact with the cam. Two rocker shafts 82 are provided one on each side of beam 6 to actuate the rods .76 on the respective sides. .Each rocker shaft 82 is actuated about its axis by a vertical arm 84 through arms 86 and 88.

Attached to the underside of beam 6 at each end is a vertical arm 90. The lower end of each arm 90 is pivotally connected to a lever 91 which is attached to a shaft 92 for rotation therewith. The shaft 92 is mounted in bearings 93, and has a lever arm 94 attached thereto intermediate its ends. A cam follower 95 is mounted on the end of arm 94. A cam shaft 96 is mounted parallel to shaft 92 and is rotated through drive 97 from a motor 98. Cams 100 mounted on shaft 96 move arms 84 up and down in timed relationship with the movement of arms 90 which are actuated by a cam 102 mounted on shaft 96 through arms 91 and 94 and shaft 92.

In operation, the workpiece W is positioned beneath the tips 62 in the desired position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8. At this time the beam 6 is in its upper position, the tips 62 are in their raised retracted position (FIG. 5), and the spools 28 in their extreme left hand position. Operation of motor 98 then causes rotation of shaft 96 and associated cams so that arms 90 cause beam 6 to lower until the tips 62 are in position to move in under the top flanges F of sheets S. The rods 76 are then lowered by movement of arms 84 to move cams 78 out of contact with followers 68 so that the springs 80 will snap each group of four tips 62 inwardly to their position around the associated joints between sheets S. At the time that inward movement of the tips 62 start, the motors 29L will engage the spools 28 of the first valves on each side and move all spools to the right. In the extreme left position of the spools 28, openings 40 and 42 in the spool are blocked and no flow of adhesive through the spool can take place. At this time adhesive from previous operations will be in space 18, openings 48, 50 and 52, slots 54, balls 60, fittings 64, tubes 66 and tip openings 72. Since the adhesive is thixotropic it is very stiff at this time and difficult to move. However, as the spool moves to the right and portion 32 of the spool begins to enter space 18, it will act as a piston and begin to compress and force adhesive out of space 18 toward tip openings 72. This piston action overcomes the resistance to flow of the adhesive and gets it moving rapidly just before the main flow of the adhesive begins from groove 22, openings 42, axial opening 38, and openings 40 into space 18 as the spools reach the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 The size of openings 72 are such as to meter the flow of epoxy so as to give a desired uniform flow. The beam 6' then moves downwardly so that the tips will lower to the bottom flanges of sheets S after which the beam immediately starts its upward movement. After the tips move upwardly about to in., the motor 29R will engage the spool 28 of the valve adjacent thereto and move all spools to the left so as to cut off flow of adhesive. At the same time rod 76 moves upwardly and forces the tips 62 outwardly so they can clear the upper flanges. On the back stroke of the spools 28 a vacuum is created because the piston action of portion 32 increases the volume of space 18 immediately after valve shut off. This prevents continued flow of epoxy after the valve is shut off. The operation will then be repeated, either on a new workpiece or where the spacing of joints is too close to cover all joints at once, the workpiece is moved to a new position and additional joints covered.

While one embodiment of our invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

l. A valve for controlling movement of a fiowable material comprising a body having an axial opening thercthrough, a first peripheral enlargement in said axial opening of substantial axial length, a second peripheral enlargement of substantial axial length in said axial opening spaced axially from said first peripheral enlargement with a distance therebetween, a bearing surface in said axial opening between said peripheral enlargements, an entry connection for said material to said first peripheral enlargement, an exit connection for said material from said second peripheral enlargement, a spool slidable in said axial opening, an axial opening in said spool having closed ends and a length substantially greater than the distance betweenvsaid peripheral enlargements, first and second sets of generally radial openings from said closed axial opening to the outside of said spool, said sets of radial openings being spaced apart axially a distance about the same as the distance between said peripheral enlargements, a first bearing portion on said spool between said sets of generally radial openings in engagement with said bearing surface between said peripheral enlargements, a second bearing portion on said spool having the same diameter as said first bearing portion, said first set of radial openings being located between said first and second bearing portions, a wall on said spool extending inwardly toward the spool axis at the end of said second bearing portion remote from said first bearing portion, the axial length of said second peripheral enlargement being sufficient to receive said first set of radial openings and all of said second bearing portion including said inwardly extending wall, the end of said first bearing portion adjacent said first set of radial openings being movable into said second peripheral enlargement, said second armg portion being movable into engagement with said bearing surface, the axial distance between said inwardly extending wall and the said second set of radial openings being greater than the combined axial length of said first peripheral enlargement and said bearing surface so that the {second set of radial openings is beyond said first peripheral enlargement when said second bearing portion is in engagement with said bearing surface, and means for moving said spool from a position where said first set of radial openings and said second bearing portion are entirely within said second peripheral enlargement and the second set of radial openings is in alignment with the first peripheral enlargement to a position where neither set of radial openings is in alignment with either of said peripheral enlargements and said second bearing portion is in engagement with said bearing surface.

2. A valve according to claim 1 in which said body has an axial bore and said axial opening in said body is fonned of two hollow sleeves in said bore spaced apart at their adjacent ends to form said second peripheral enlargement, said first peripheral enlargement being formed in one of said sleeves.

3. A valve according to claim 2 in which the opening in said one sleeve is larger than the opening in the other sleeve, said spool having a third bearing portion longitudinally spaced from said first bearing portion to engage said opening in said one sleeve on the side of said first peripheral enlargement remote from said second peripheral enlargement, and said spool having a fourth bearing portion in engagement with the opening in said other sleeve.

4. A valve according to claim 1 in which the diameter of said bearing portions is greater than the diameter of said spool at said sets of radial openings.

5. A valve according to claim 1 including a bearing portion on said sleeve connected to said wall and'extending axially away from said second bearing portion, and a bearing surface in said body axial opening for slidably receiving said last named bearing portion. 

1. A valve for controlling movement of a flowable material comprising a body having an axial opening therethrough, a first peripheral enlargement in said axial opening of substantial axial length, a second peripheral enlargement of substantial axial length in said axial opening spaced axially from said first peripheral enlargement with a distance therebetween, a bearing surface in said axial opening between said peripheral enlargements, an entry connection for said material to said first peripheral enlargement, an exit connection for said material from said second peripheral enlargement, a spool slidable in said axial opening, an axial opening in said spool having closed ends and a length substantially greater than the distance between said peripheral enlargements, first and second sets of generally radial openings from said closed axial opening to the outside of said spool, said sets of radial openings being spaced apart axially a distance about the same as the distance between said peripheral enlargements, a first bearing portion on said spool between said sets of generally radial openings in engagement with said bearing surface between said peripheral enlargements, a second bearing portion on said spool having the same diameter as said first bearing portion, said first set of radial openings being located between said first and second bearing portions, a wall on said spool extending inwardly toward the spool axis at the end of said second bearing portion remote from said first bearing portion, the axial length of said second peripheral enlargement being sufficient to receive said first set of radial openings and all of said second bearing portion including said inwardly extending wall, the end of said first bearing portion adjacent said first set of radial openings being movable into said second peripheral enlargement, said second bearing portion being movable into engagement with said bearing surface, the axial distance between said inwardly extending wall and the said second set of radial openings being greater than the combined axial length of said first peripheral enlargement and said bearing surface so that the second set of radial openings is beyond said first peripheral enlargement when said second bearing portion is in engagement with said bearing surface, and means for moving said spool from a position where said first set of radial openings and said second bearing portIon are entirely within said second peripheral enlargement and the second set of radial openings is in alignment with the first peripheral enlargement to a position where neither set of radial openings is in alignment with either of said peripheral enlargements and said second bearing portion is in engagement with said bearing surface.
 2. A valve according to claim 1 in which said body has an axial bore and said axial opening in said body is formed of two hollow sleeves in said bore spaced apart at their adjacent ends to form said second peripheral enlargement, said first peripheral enlargement being formed in one of said sleeves.
 3. A valve according to claim 2 in which the opening in said one sleeve is larger than the opening in the other sleeve, said spool having a third bearing portion longitudinally spaced from said first bearing portion to engage said opening in said one sleeve on the side of said first peripheral enlargement remote from said second peripheral enlargement, and said spool having a fourth bearing portion in engagement with the opening in said other sleeve.
 4. A valve according to claim 1 in which the diameter of said bearing portions is greater than the diameter of said spool at said sets of radial openings.
 5. A valve according to claim 1 including a bearing portion on said sleeve connected to said wall and extending axially away from said second bearing portion, and a bearing surface in said body axial opening for slidably receiving said last named bearing portion. 